ERNESTINE OSEGUERA

1937 to 2021

She cherished her family

Ernestine Oseguera—a vivacious woman who adored life, cherished her family, and held unshakable faith in the Lord—passed away of liver cancer at her son’s home in Riverside, CA, on February 11, 2021. She was 83.

A savory mix of Texas Mexican, Spanish, French, and Aztec Indian, Ernestine, known as Ernee to her friends, loved nothing more than celebrating the holidays. Whether it was her brown-sugar ham and lemon squares for Thanksgiving or the tons of tamales whipped up before New Year’s Day, Ernestine—surrounded by her enormous family—made the most of any event.

Laughing, sharing stories, and cracking jokes in English and Spanish reigned throughout every holiday, the music of Freddy Fender playing in the background. Fender, a country-rock legend in Texas, was Ernestine’s cousin.

Helped raise her siblings

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PATRICIA ANN WOOLEVER

1939 to 2020

“A force to be reckoned with”

Patricia Ann Woolever—a woman who prized loyalty, always spoke her mind, and adored living in the High Sierras—passed away from heart and lung problems at home in Graeagle, CA on December 24, 2020, her beloved husband Robert at her side. She was 81.

Pat, as many called her, was a straight shooter. She rarely candy-coated anything, and her friends loved her for it, son Ron Rhone said. “Others found her truthful to a fault,” he added with a chuckle.

Daughter Darci Depweg describes her mom as a “force to be reckoned with.”

The first of three children, Patricia Ann Nowels was born July 26, 1939, in Bakersfield, CA. She and her two brothers, Butch and Jimmy, endured a challenging childhood, which Pat, a fighter, sought to overcome.

Her de facto parents

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ROBERT LEE BOOTHE

1927 – 2021

Lived life to the fullest

Robert Lee Boothe—a man of unparalleled devotion to his wife and children who excelled in business, the military, dog breeding, flying, and fidelity to his Methodist faith—passed away of congestive heart failure at Eden Hill Communities in New Braunfels, TX, on March 20, 2021, his children and granddaughter at his side. He was 93.

It is no cliché to say that Bob, as most called him, lived life to the fullest. Whether it was clinching an oil-land deal, breeding his adored Beagles, learning aerobatics, or attending his children’s recitals, he did it with the same commitment and zeal he devoted to serving his country as a U.S. Army officer.

The first of two children, Bob was born August 6, 1927, in Shreveport, LA, to Smith Robinson, a housewife, and Robert E. Boothe, who worked at Halliburton, a multinational oil company, which required the family to move often.

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DR. FORREST ANDREW REED, JR.

1926 – 2021

A devilish sense of humor

Forrest Andrew Reed—a veterinarian with a devilish sense of humor who treasured animals almost more than people (his beloved wife and four sons excepted, of course)—passed away of a brain hematoma in Richfield, Ohio on Saturday, March 13, 2021, his remaining sons at his side. He was 94.

The first in a line of Eagle Scouts, Forrest helped son Gary and grandsons Forrest John and Justin achieve the same rank. But Marv Bortz, who grew up next door to the man he described as his best friend, claimed Forrest  “duped the Boy Scouts into making him an Eagle Scout” without having accomplished any of the required tasks.

Knowing Forrest’s humor and the way he joked around, Bortz’ assertion remains questionable.

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JOHN DREW CHIPMAN

1934 to 2021

A big teddy bear

[Editor’s Note: There is a magnificent PowerPoint presentation at the end of John’s tribute created by his son, Matt Chipman. Be sure to click on the John D. Chipman link.]

John Drew Chipman—a man of delectable humor and positivity who cherished his wife (shown left), children and grandchildren—passed away at Aegis Assisted Living on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, in Granada Hills. He was 86.

Less than five months earlier, John’s wife of 63 years, Marylee, died at Aegis where both resided. John, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, grasped the moment sufficiently enough to tell his beloved wife: “We will meet again.”

A big, teddy bear of a guy, John had a lighthearted approach to life, especially when it came to his wife. Where Marylee could be tempestuous on occasion, he fielded anything negative with the ease of a standup comedian brushing off a heckler with a witty one liner. In John’s presence, everyone felt safe, warm, in the company of a best friend. He drew smiles, laughter, good vibes—always.

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